• The Nature of This Practice:

While this is a general practice, I have a particular interest, which concerns the effects of stress and crisis.  Stressful events set in motion old, automatic habits of thought, emotion, and behavior.  This is a typical occurrence, even in completely normal individuals.  If a way can be found to interrupt these old, rigid patterns, then most people can expect to act and feel the way they would prefer.  Whether I treat anxiety, depression, family communication problems, or self-esteem issues, it will usually include this perspective.

• The Difference Between Counseling and Therapy:

Counseling is most effective when it is a strategic process. It provides guidance toward a goal with the help of broader thinking, new skills, or identification of useful old skills.  Meanwhile, therapy glances back to the past to uncover the source of any internal barriers that would prevent the application of the strategies that counseling has identified.  Typically, these barriers are very old habits, beliefs, or forms of protection that come into rigid operation during stressful times.  Then, ways to move past these barriers can be designed.  So, in this way, counseling and therapy are complementary.

• Those Who Benefit from Counseling and Therapy:

Those who benefit from sessions come to work on themselves.  While these people may spend some time noticing the external barriers in their lives, they spend more of their time looking for new internal solutions.  Second, they are open and completely honest in stating their situation and concerns.  They identify for the therapist and focus upon their most pressing challenges.  Finally, they have overcome their ambivalence about changing their lives, and are eager to grow past their difficulties.

People who do not yet take these attitudes still may progress.  The process just becomes longer as the therapist and life’s distress both guide them toward taking these more practical approaches.

• Contacting me:

You can call my voice mail at  (860) 233-1897 anytime, 24 hours per day, and 365 days per year.  While in the office, I will usually check in hourly.  Outside my office hours, I will usually check in within the next 25 hours.  During occasions when I cannot check messages as quickly as that, I will note it on my voice mail’s outgoing message.  I encourage people to call or email me with questions and am happy to respond.  Please be aware that I do not provide emergency services, so circumstances may delay my reply.  I will arrange to have emergen­cy services made available upon request.

For more info on other ways to contact me, please: Click Here.

• Appointments:

Appointments are 50 minutes in length.  They may begin somewhat later than the scheduled time.  In other words, I don’t watch the clock too closely, and avoid finishing a session before we reach our goal that day.  You can also call or email between sessions.  On the other hand, those requiring precise starting times can arrange this with me, sticking to a set 50-minute appointment.  My current daytime schedule is Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays until 6pm.  My evening schedule is on Thursdays, but that is limited to the remote platform below.

[PLEASE NOTE:  I offer a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform if preferred instead of meeting in my office.  Evening sessions are only remote.]

• Changing Appointments:

For non-urgent situations:  You can cancel or reschedule your appointment time.  In fact, our first meeting probably occurred during an appointment time that someone else had canceled.  So, I ask that people give me a few days notice of cancellations.  This way, I have time to contact people, and they have time to adjust their schedules.  If I receive less than two full business-days’ notice, I must charge for the time, unless someone who is waiting calls in to substitute.

For info on more urgent circumstances that may affect your appointment, this link brings you to the bottom of this page.

• Confidentiality:

[SEE HIPAA FORMS]

These forms, above, are the federally mandated guidelines, disclosures, and procedures related to confidentiality.  I believe that the privacy of our work together is paramount for our progress.  Unless treatment is initiated on a different basis by written agreement, we agree that no forensic services (legal testimony), including reports to courts/attorneys and appearances for any kind of testimony, will be released by you or otherwise requested of me. 

• Other Ethical Expectations:

I accept the challenges that an individual faces with unconditional positive regard, or else I refer that person.  I may offer to treat various members of a family or other partnership.  I may also confidentially treat people in conflict with each other.  If so, I will seek to understand con­flicting perspectives without bias or taking sides.  This maximizes the information available for resolution.  On the other hand, if any party feels it is no longer acceptable, I will suggest appropriate referral.  I cannot give advice on which goals to hold, but can give concrete direction, by multiplying options, on how to attain goals and make changes.  I am also not permitted to enter any secondary relationship with a client.  While this rule prevents business dealings and outside friendships, its main purpose is to protect clients from potential exploitation.

• Why I do not participate in HMO panels:

To join or not to join, that was my question.

Click here to learn why I recommend that you select a psychologist who does NOT “take” your insurance.

• Insurance and Fees:

My fee for a 50-minute session ($230.00, as of May 14, 2024) is the same since the beginning of my practice in 1986, adjusted using the CPI. It is also currently the same whether for checks, cards (MC and Visa), or cash.  Click here for a discussion of my policy on participating in insurance panels.  “Point of Service” group insurance policies sold in Connecticut ­must include some kind of coverage for an out-of-plan licensed psychologist.  You can either check your insurance handbook about deductibles and coverage or ask my billing service (860-677-7200) to call them for you.  “POE” and “HMO” plans confine subscribers to a list, and typically will pay nothing.   Medicare does not cover services for opt-out providers like me, but does reimburse for other, participating providers.  If you use insurance and fill out the form, my billing service will file it for you and submit the bill. Fees are fully payable at the time of each session, which allows us to schedule future appointments together.  In the rare event that a bill is unpaid, I will have to add attorney’s fees, collection costs, and interest, because of my own costs.

• Snow, Illness, or Emergency Cancellations:

Once back in the physical office, I understand that you may need to stay home if you believe that traveling might endanger you.  I would never wish for you to take a health risk in order to come to the office.  With the rare exception of a local-road driving ban, I will be here if you decide to come in a storm.  If you stay home for snow, illness, or emergencies (or if you simply prefer), we can have a session over a telehealth platform.  I find that it works very well.  Please let me know about the change by phone or email.  Or, you can cancel as described above under “changing appointments.”

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